Ramon Zamora | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Ramon Artiaga Zamora June 27, 1935 |
| Died | August 26, 2007 (aged 72) Antipolo, Philippines |
| Occupation(s) | Filipino comedian and action film actor |
| Years active | 1971–2007 |
Ramon Artiaga Zamora (June 27, 1935 – August 26, 2007) was a Filipino film actor best known for his leading roles in local martial arts films and action movies of the 1970s. He was popularly dubbed as the "Bruce Lee of the Philippines".[1][2]
Zamora was born in San Juan, Rizal.[3] He began his entertainment career in 1953 as a stuntman and dancer for LVN Pictures.[2] He persevered in the bodabil circuit, performing regularly at the Clover Theater and the Manila Grand Opera House.[3][4] He also was a member of the Festival Dancers, a dance troupe which performed international tours regularly.[3]
From his stage performances, he was contracted in 1969 to star as a mainstay of the ABS-CBN gag show Super Laff-In. Zamora's most popular stock character in the show was a military-clad figure that bore an unmistakable physical resemblance to Adolf Hitler, who spoke in bastardized German and spouted catchphrases such as "Isprakenheit".[2] The role won him the "Best Actor Citizen's Award for Television".[2][3]
When Super Laff-In's network ABS-CBN was closed upon the declaration of martial law in 1972, Zamora shifted gears and focused on a film career. He starred as the durable komiks character Pedro Penduko in the 1973 Celso Ad Castillo fantasy film Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Pedro Penduko. The resulting success of the film boosted Zamora's popularity, and he soon became one of the top box-office draws in Philippine cinema in the 1970s.
Zamora was especially popular for a string of locally produced martial arts films that emerged following the international success of Bruce Lee.[3] Patterning his film persona around a Bruce Lee-type with a comedic twist,[4] Zamora starred in such films as Shadow of the Dragon (1973), Cobra at Lawin (1973), Game of Death (1974), Return of the Dragon (AKA Revenge of the Dragon) (1977), and Bruce Liit (1978).
In 1978, Zamora shared the top billing with actor Weng Weng in Chopsuey Meets Big Time Papa.[5]
Then he played his villain role as Edu Manzano's right-hand man to Lito Lapid in an action packed film Hindi Palulupig (1989).
By the 1980s, Zamora's career as a leading man petered out, and he returned to guest-starring in television programs, often in his "Hitler" guise. He also portrayed character roles in films, including one in the 1994 update of the Pedro Penduko saga now starring Janno Gibbs, Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko. At the time of his death from a heart attack in his Antipolo home, Zamora had completed one last film that had yet to be released, Ataul for Rent. His remains is at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.[4][6]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | Super Laff-In | himself |
| 2006 | Maging Sino Ka Man | Simon |
| 2006 | Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko | Father Ben |
| 2006 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Shades" | Tatay Landro |